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jLAST TMY8T OW TMJE B^^VA, 



EDGAR S. MATTISON. 



WITH OTHER F^OEMS. 



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COUDERSPORT, PA. : 
HAMILTON & BUTTEKWORTH, 

1875. 



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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1876, by 

EDGAR S. MATTLSON, 
in tlie oftice of the Librarian of Congress, at Wasliinaton. 






DEDICATED 

TO 

NELLIE. 



WE CRAVE 

THE CHAUITABLE INDULGENCE OF 

AMERICANS. 



WHITE WAVE; 



LAH'-r 'rK.YtsT: ojsr rrJEUU seiveca. 



jl>.' till' western sky tlie siuiset 

Showered o'er the scene a spray of gold, 
Tinged with dashes of rich crimson 

Ta'en from the sun-god's banner fold. 
Far across the azure heavens 

The clouds like blazing scrolls unrolled. 

And the lake caught the reflections 
Upon its dimpling silver screen ; 

Flashing back from off its mirror 
The glory sky and fringing green ; 

Like a bright nymph of the forest, 
Lay fair Seneca's glassy sheen. 



WHITE WAVJi: 

There the wild duck, slowly sailing; 

Across the gold and carmine wake^ 
Like a winged fairy galley 

On some bright Utopian lake, 
While about her, 'mid the ripples, 

Like glinting gems the sunbeams break. 

Here goes down a crested diver, 
Beneath a little shower of spray. 

Leaving only circling wavelets 

Slow curling outward o'er the bay — 

Yonder, far away in distance, 

The strange bird leaps into tiie day. 

And here the lake trout, upward springing, 
Swings its bright form upon the sight, 

Golden sparkles from it dripping 
Within the molten sunset light; 

Then, in cool depths disappearing, 
Leaves o'er it waters flashing bright. 



WHITE WAVE. 

There a swift canoe of birchen. 

Like fleeting shadow flies the wave, 

^Neath the stroke of paddle pinions 
Strongly urged b}^ a tawny brave ; 

Singing low, to time his motions, 
The wild notes of a savage stave. 

The smoke, rising, twining, curling. 

Above the skirting forest trees, 
Like thin azure flags unfurlino; 

In the breath of the evening breeze, 
Shows where, within the wood. 

The wigwams of the Indians stood, 

'Bout midway down the sunset lake, 
That side where tints of morning break, 
A singing stream, through ravine dim, 
Foaming upon the broad lake's brim, 
Laughs out upon the ruddy light, 
And merges in the wave from sight. 



Back from Seneca's pebbly sliore^ 

'Mid towering rocks the waters roar. 

Down cascade patiiway till like milk 

And waving like a scarf of silk; — 

O'er the dark pool the froth flecks spread, 

Where rests the singing Silver Thread. 

'Twas like a weird romantic dream 

Lulled by the chiming of the stream. 

Where m\^stic shades 'neath gray crags giira, 

Quivered upon the twilight's rim: — 

With gentle stroke and elfin spell 

The throbbing of the thrush's belL 

The dancing of the maple leaves, 
Clinging from rifts amid the stones; 

The air-sprite in the cedar grieves, 
And 'mid the clifts chants monotones. 

Beside the ripples of the pool 

That laves the foot of the cascade, 



\fHlTE WAVE. \\ 

On mossy rock 'iiiid shadows cool^ 
Sits a prett}- Indian maid. 

Her dark eyes glow but lips are mute, 

As tlie w ind-iiand sweeps the pine tree's lute. 

Tlie parted lips of rosy hue, 

'Tween which the foam-white teeUi peep tlirough; 

The bright eyes kissed with diamond dew. 

Soft slumbered 'neath their jetty light; 

Dusky cheeks with rich blushes swarm, 

Red rose 'ncath bronze crape glowing warm ; 

Falling about her sylph-like form, 

Her silken locks of ebon night. 

From her ears hung thin rings of gold, 
And, spangled o'er her tunic's fold, 
Bright beads of ev'ry tint and hue 
Grouped on the soft cloth of dark blue ; 
Small silver bracelets brightl}^ spanned 
The wrist above the shapely hand; 



13 WHITE WAVE. 

Leggins and dainty moccasins, 

Formed from the ^^oung fawn's silk like skins, 

Worked witii small shells that pearl}" shine 

'Mong tinted quills of the porcupine: — 

'Tis White Wave — Panther Heart's daughter- 

Whose regal lodge stands by the shore 

Of Seneca's silver water. 

The sire is like a sturdy oak, 

Unbent by Time or lightning scath ; 
His steely nerves remain unbroke 
By wounds upon the red war-path ; 
His shrill wild yell calls to his side 
A band of braves, all fierce and tried, 
Who rule the forest far and wide. 
And Panther Heart, proud of station. 
In the councils of his nation, 
Scowls like brow of lowering night 
And hurls his hatchet for the fight. 
Of lion part, nor does there rest 
Pit}' for captives held in thrall, 



WHITE ir^lT^^. 13 

While cruel mnkliiigs in his breast. 

Doth for the hottest torture eall; 
With tieiidish joy looks on the sight 

Where knivey and war cluhs hack and maim, 

Till, 'mid the tire-brands' gory light, 
The victim roasts on slowest flame. 
No smiles were ever seen to piny 
Around Ins lips, where grim shades lay, 
Save, like glimpses of winter sun 

Upon a cragged, sterile wild. 
When, onl}^ when he looked upon 

His loved White Wave, his only child. 
His young squaw, forty moons before. 
Fell prone and lifeless on the shore— 
A feather-winged and flint-tipped dart 
Reeking within her bleeding heart, 
Sent by the strong unerring hand 
Of one who led a hostile band ; 
But scarcely had the arrow sped 
Ere he was gathered to the dead, 
And ere his torn heart ceased to beat. 



14 WHITE WAVK 

Panther Heart stamped it 'neatli his feet. 
The victor, with his hatciiet raised, 
Holding tlie gory scalp on higli, 
While fires of demons fairly blazed 
Fiom out liis wild, unearthly eye. 
Swore, b}^ the power above the skv, 
Never to take the pipe of peace, 
Or to the captive give release, 
Until his red avenging hand 
Should slay the last one of the band 
That stopped his flow of golden joy. 
And slew the pride of the Iroquois. 

White Wave grew a child of nature, 

Motherless, m the wildwood bower, 
A bright, active, winsome creature. 

Graceful as the sweet wild flower ; — 
Panther Heart gave fond looks of pride 

As White Wave rambled at his side. 
Her mother's form and face she bore. 

Kindling mem'ry in the father's heart ; 



WHITE WAVR- 15 

Each moment, 'long the pebbly shore, 
Proclaimed her Fleetfoot's second part. 

But yeurs had come and fled away— 
With azure skies and cloudland gray, 
With summer's sultry tears and smiles, 
And snow wraiths howling through the wilds. 
Buds bursting from a soil of brown, 
Througli painted leaves nuts patt'ring down- 
White Wave, a maiden ripe for love, 
With heart as pure as skies above, 
Must own at last that Cupid's dart 
Has found an entrance to her heart ; 
Young Ilavenfeather's manl}^ form 
Looms up amid her love dreams warm.— - 
His dark eyes are glorious now, 
Flashing like eagle's 'neath his brow; 
Amid red death his wild war cry 

Rings where the blows fall thick and fast, 



16 WHITE WAVE. 

Piercing the very clouds on high 
And in the mountains echoing last; 
Down from his belt the jet hair flows 
That once adorned his smitten foes; 
His lodge pole, too, his prowess shows ; 

Well known and feared, this savage brave; 

But when he speaks to the White Wave, 
His voice sinks low in accents sweet, 
Like moss-fringed rill in wild retreat; 

His smile is as the morning beam 

Shot from the sun, and caught in flight 

Upon a molten silver stream 

Haloed about by fog-wraith white ; 
His touch as gentle as a maid 
Ere felt within the trysting shade. 

White Wave hears the tread of feet, 
Crushing dead leaves toward her retreat, 
And eyes beam with a happy light 
As Raven feather steps in sight 
From 'mid a clump of cedar trees 



WHITE WAVE. XT' 

That moan low in the evening breeze; 
Springing from stone to stone acrose, 
Drops on the bed of soft green moss, 
Beside the rock, where sits the maid 
That charmed him through the tangled glade. 

Sweet to the hearts of those that love, 

The wood retreat, in dim twilight; 
With star rays twinkling from above, 

Athwart the velvet verge of night; 
When arm in arm and heart to heart, 

And vows are bubbling low and sweet; 
When sigh and whisper play their part, 

When kisses long and ardent meet, 
While thrills fly to the finger tips: 

Magnetic clinging of the lips ; 
How, on the streams of moonbeams white, 
Fancy's swift galleys come in sight, 

Bearing bright future, rose-twined views 
Sparkling with richest nectar dews, — 
E'en sands within the glass of Time 



IS WHITE WAVK 

Charms with the pureness of its chime-— 
Sweeter than in the Hebrides, 
Where saiid-ljre siiigs l>eiieath the bree:^©. 

ThuSy with these^ the two dark lovers^ 
Trystiiig witlini the rocky dell ; 

By their side the eascade^ chanting^ 
Flung weird about a mystic spell, 

Heightened by the twinkling vespers 
Of the brown night-bird's mellow belL 

Ah! 'tis best to love unconscious 
Of the tierce danger lurking near; — 

'Twetn the tangled cedar branches 
Two black and snaky eye-balls peer. 

Flaming with such bitter hatred 

That the soft scene grows chill with fear. 

Little-bear, the Mohawk chieftau. 

Captured by cool Owasco's side, 
By the Senecas adopted. 



WHITE WAVE. 1» 

Craves the fair White Wave as his bride; 
But in vain has been his wooing, 
His suit, unwished for, is denied. 

Filled his heart with threats of vengeance 

For his brave rival s tti:.g there, 
And, like wild beast glaring outward, 

He moved uneasy in his lair ; 
Clenched the handle of his hatchet 

And poised it midway in the air; — 

Sent it hissing through the aioonbeanis — . 

Flashing like a meteor light — 
But a thin bough caught the weapon 

And kindly glanced it to the right, 
Sev'ring from the warrior's forehead 

A slender lock as black as night. 

Raven feather, swiftly leaping, 

With drawn knife, scans the thicket o'er; 
But the hidden, snake-like craven 



30 WHITE WAVE. 

Amid the shadows lurks no more — 
With cat steps he swift emerges 
Upon the pebbles of the shore. 

Well he knew the erring hatchet 

Would tell the owner and foul play : — 

Hurried on with hasty striding 

Where his canoe 'mid shadows lay^ 

And, with swift propeling paddle, 
O'er moonlit waters sped away. 

But the charmed love match is broken — 
A thorn has entered through the dream- 

And in silence, stealthy creeping 
Along the border of the stream, 

Till they see the lapping ripples 

Laughing within the mild moonbeam. 

Swift they search, with anxious glances, 

Before they take the parting kiss. 
And in moon-rays lying silent. 



WHITE WAVE. SI 

Naught is seen that seems amiss; — 
But the venture of the evening 
Pours gall into their cup of bliss. 

Dark the scowling on the faces 

Of the warriors gathered nigh, 
Where the council fire was blazing, 

Out underneath the summer sky: 
Heard the stor3', and decided 

That the IJttle-bear must die. 

AVe'li not follow in the footsteps 
Of those who sought the Little-bear, 

Where they lurked amid the thickets, 

Or crossed the blue lake here and there; — 

But they failed to find the trail-path 
That led into the liidden lair. 



Time sped ; the mild months passed away ; 
Amid the old routine no break, 



i WHITE WAVE. 

Save passage of the wandering spirit 
Condemned to travel 'round the lake. 
Once it had passed, and straining e^es 
Had watched the phantom fall and rise^ 
As with slow, steady pace it bore 
Its lone way to the sonthern shore. 
Agayentha's sprite, the legend said, 
Sentenced to wander from his deep green bed. 
Suspended in the water cold and clear, 
Sad and lone, for many an untold j^ear. 

Golden October wove her tinted screen. 
Crimson and yellow 'mid the woodland green, 
Squirrels were chatt'ring in the acorn wilds. 
Brown nuts were patt'ring in the forest aisles. 
The ruffl'd grouse whirr'd as footfalls echoed near, 
And through the glade bounded the timid deer, 
On the wings of the autumnal breeze 
The painted leaves went whirling from the trees. 
Like a picture, Seneca's sheen unrolled, 
In a framework of green, crimson and gold, 



WHITE WAVF. S3 

And her mirror depths reflected each dye 
From tlie tinted wood to the hazy sky, 
And sunset burned a radiant wake 
Of glory athwart the painted lake. 

'Twas evening now, and the purple light 
Waved her torch on the threshold of the night ; 
Sacred twilight hour when fond lovers meet 
To tell o'er their love in the still retreat. 
Bright Hesper just weaving her vesper spell, 
Along the verge of heaven's deep'ning shell, — 
When a canoe shot out from 'neath the shade, 
Bearing the warrior and his dusky maid; 
But a few swift strokes, and the birchen boat 
Was left for soft zephyr hands to float. 
Ravenfeather drew from his wampum beads 
A slender flute, cut from amid the reeds, 
Adorned with feathers of many a hue 
That waved and fluttered as the player blew, 
Sweetly as birds the morning greet, 



a-A WHITl] WAV£L 

From ^inid the rose-blooms gay and fai'f% 

The gentle love-tune, low and sweety 

Caressed the pulsing evening air; 

Above, the star-hands, one by one, 

Lit the far points of dripping light 

Until the sky and vielding deep 

Burned o'er with torchlights sparkling bright. 

The lover ceased (and flute laid by) ; 

He said, with love glance in his eye, 

'''Oft do I think, when far and wide 
The stars lie on the silver tide. 
Of an old legend told to me 
When captive to the Cherokee: 
How water lilies had their birth 
Amid the sweet blooms of the earth ; 
How tirst on pools they came to glow% 
Full many a thousand moons ago. 
The Cherokee, with awe-slruck eye, 
Gazing upon the (vening sky, 
Sees n each brightly beaming star 
A warrior's spirit roaming far, 



WHITE WAVE. ai 

Upon the blessed shining shore — 
Living and happy evermore. 

<Jne night, when heaven's azure wail 

Blazed with those lights that winking glance, 

'The Cherolvees held festival^ 

And feet tripped in the merry dance,- — 

When, toward the southland, low in air, 
A brilliant star burst forth in sight— 

Largest of ail, and strangely fair, 
A prince amid the flames of night. 
Each eye, with wond'ring, silent gaze, 
Was riveted upon the bla^e; 
Then hum of voices 'gan to flow 
In awesome whispers, trembling low-— 
Each one of each, that they might know 
The secret of that golden gem 
That crowned, with light, eve's diadem ; 
But none w^as found who erst might tell 
The mystic cause or magian spell 
That brought that form on shores of night, 
Above the mountain's fringed height. 



^6 WHITE WAVM, 

For hours they looked — then silent crept 
Into each lodge, and wearied slept, 

A handsome youth, the Sachem's kin^ 
While dreaming on his panther skin, 
Beheld a vision bright and fair 
Hang o'er him in the sable air. 
He saw the star, whose heavenly light 
Burned great athwart the pulsing night. 
Approach his couch side, and, behold! 
A goddess with long wings of gold. 
Her eyes like stars in jasper set. 
Her lips, rose leaves with dewdrops wet<, 
Adown her slioulders smooth and fair 
Rippled a wealth of raven hair, 
Her voice like singing of the flowers 
That bloom within the spirit bowers: 
She whispered in his youthful ear 
Her blessed birth and mission here ; 
How she upon the mountain stood 
And viewed the children of the wood. 



WHITE WAVE. ar 

And saw the Clievokees were good. 
She, guardian of childhood's hour, 
Wished to dwell in some forest bower, 
That she might to the children be 
Their tender nurse and deity. 

The vision sped ; the youth awoke, 
And in the solemn council broke 
(Into the tribe his wondrous dreams 
That shimmered in the dawning's beams. 
All hearts rejoiced, and quickly sent 
A band, that through tne forest went, 
Guided by day by mountains' height 
And by the spirit eyes at night, 
Until, one evening, as the blest 
Sun sank down in the crimson west, 
They halted at the mountain's crest 
Before that being brighter far 
Than silver moon or flaming star, 
And on their faces falling prone 
They worshiped in an awestruck tone. 



SS WHITE WAVE. 

Rise, quoth the spirit, let's away ; 
My shining crown will light 3'our waj' ; 
Eclipsing far the moonlight pale 
That stalks along your woodland traiL 

* * ^4 

Their journey o'er, the godde^^s chose 
Her bower where a, sweet wild rose 
Grew out, upon the valley's brim 
Beside a mystic cavern's rim. 
There, through man^- a summer day. 
The children gathered in their play — 
Their guileless pranks and happy wiles 
Illumined by the spirit's smiles. 
Wearied, at last, of her retreat, 
To the calm lake bent her dancing feet. 
Haloed about with sunny joys 
Of laughing little maids and boys, 
And pausing where the ripples chime 
Along the beach their silver rhyme. 
She told her charge her time to leave 



WHITE WAVE. '^if 

Had come at last; they must not grieve- — 

She'd leave behind a token sweet, 

Upon the broad lake's azure sheet, 

Sent from the bowers where spirits dwell; — 

And, smiling, bade them each farewell. 

Then, in a shower of glor}^ bright, 

'Mid circling waves, she sank from sight— 

And sudden, 'neath sunset light. 

The lake bore lilies pure and white ; 

The children cried, in joy's surprise : 

Behold our spirit's white star eyes! — 

Thus, do I think, when far and wide 

The stars lie on the silver tide. 

How water-lilies had their birth 

Amid the fragrant blooms of earth." 

Then silent sat, while golden thought 

A bright spell 'round their love life wrought ; 

So rapt, the lovers did not see 

The baleful face of destiny. 

No eye had seen the waving wake, 



so WHITE WAVE. 

Where softly cn'.pt the craft}^ snake, 

Till hissmg of the winged dart 

That cleft the warrior's dreaming heart. 

With gurgling death-yell, shrieking wide, 

Ravenfeather sank beneath the tide, 

And White Wave, stunned, with eyes of fright, 

Peered through the dim, uncertain light, 

And saw a swift boat shooting near. 

Along the surface of the mere; 

Within it knew the Little-bear, 

The skulking demon of the lair. 

All fear was passed — now trembling now 

As fierce hand grasped the stiffened bow. 

And swiftl}^ from the twanging string 

Sent a sharp arrow on the wing. 

One scream of pain — one leap in air — 

'Mid closing waves a smothered moan ; — 
Again the starlit lake was fair. 

And White Wave stood erect — alone. 
Reason had fled ; her maiden brow 



WHITE WAVE. 31 

Was wreathed with maniac madness now; 

Upon the bell of midnight rang 

Wild words, as she her death-dirge sang: 

My hand hath slain the crested snake 
That filled my heart with mad'ning painj 

Deep, deep he lies within the lake — 
He ne'er shall breathe the light again. 

My love has gone, and wanders far, 
Along the blessed shores of night; 

His head is crowned with diamond star — 
He basks within the spirit's light. 

He beckons me to come to him, 
Across the wave of chilling fears, 

Nor let my sparkling eyes grow dim 
Within the vale of long, long years. 

I come, my love ! yes, close to thee 
I'll wander 'mid the fragrant flowers ; 



aja WHiT£j wave: 

Wait 'neath the throbbing waves for me., 
And lead me to the blessed bowers, 
Lo, Death, I cornel 

She clasped her hands, and, with a leap^ 

The waters closed above her form ; 
Amid the lake caves, in chill sleep, 
The heart that once throbbed fond and warm. 



Morning dawns, and with the rising sun 
Comes booming of the weird •' lake gun " ; 
The fog, like white-robed spirit fair, 
Climl)s up the stairway of ihe air; 
The wild red deer that stoops to drink 
On bright Seneca's silver brink, 
Raises his head, while sparkling drips 
The water from his ebon lips. 
And looks out where a birch boat lays, 
Keel upward, in the morning's blaze. 



WHITE WAVE. 33 

Dpon it sits, with plumage wliite, 

A dreaming gull, like carved sprite — 

The spirit — so the maidens say — 

Of her who in death's silence lay 

Beneath Seneca's azure water: — 

Loving White Wave, the chieftain's daughter. 




The Old Envelopes. 



^PYING a pile of envelopes to-day, 

J^ That in an old box had tumbled down, 

Tossing them over in a careless way , 

The white, the lemon, the pink and tiie brown. 

When Fancy spread out her wings on the nir, 
Pulsing with sighs from the cloudland all gloom, 

Wreathing imagery 'round the hot brow of care. 
Filling with faces the desolate room. 

Here is one with delicate tracery, 

Accepting my escort down to the lake ; 

A fair face it brings— tinted by memory, 
Though the tide of the years over it break. 



3fS RUINED COT IN THE VALE. 

This one (the blown one with the fruit border) 
Came when on business in a far awa}^ land, 

Stating the goods sent to my order — 

^'Hoping to receive more soon, from \\\y hand." 

This pink one bore the fun of a playmate 
Years ago lost in the world's busy throng. 

And tiiis one came from a far distant state, 
When the gory waves of war foamed along. 

That one held the last lines of a hero 

Who fell, 'mid musketrj^'s flash, at his post. 

This one came from white-sanded Edisto, 

When troops of the Union camped on the coast. 

And this bore to my heart sad revealing, 

Snapping the love-strings that clung to the heart; 

Bringing remorse with bitterest feeling. 
Causing the sob and the tear-drop to start. 



3V RUINED COT IN THE VALE. 

Thus on and on, o'er the heap of waste paper, 
Dreaming I sit till tlie twilight wanes gray; 

Unlieeded the hand that lighteth the taper, 

The heart, with the thoughts, are 'mid scenes far 
away. 



The Ruined Cot in the Vale. 



ITHIN a vale, we paused to rest 

'Neatn shadow of a spreading pine, 
Wiiere at our feet, witli sparkling breast, 
A brook danced in the warm sunshine. 
It was. a peaceful, calm retreat, 
Far from the tread of busy feet ; 
No turmoil from the world of man 
Broke in upon this quiet nook, 



38 RUINED COT IX THE VALE. 

Only the wild wind's viistling fan, 
The chiming of the woodland brook, 
And rich bird song within the bowers, 
Wrought magic 'mid the golden hours. 
Upon a little velvet green 
The ruins of a cot was seen, 
Along whose wall a grape-vine hung 
And in the breeze its clusters swung. 
Close by the walk that led before, 
From gateway to the shattered door. 
Grew tangled rose-trees, blushing red 
Above a little violet bed ; 
Enshrined in grass and golden-rod. 
That sprang up from the unkept sod. 
And just beyond, 'neath woodbine, lay 
A rustic arbor in decay. 

Behind the cot, the brooklet turns 
Amid the roots and mossy stones, 

O'erhung by plumes of curling ferns 
And the flat cedar's sighing moans; 



RUINED COT IN THE VALE. SO 

From brook sprang ap the mountain's height, 

Piercing the heart of gold sunlight 

With ragged trees and rough gray rock 

That had withstood the lightning's shock; 

On all sides of the clearing stood 

The green robed monarchs of the wood. 

l''here is a tale — (Lavina said, 

Sinking upon a mossy bed, 

While the warm sun-rays flamed witli gold 

The tresses that, in many a fold, 

Haloed about her shapely head) — 

Told of a maiden sweet and fair. 

With eyes of night snd jetty hair, 

That li edj once, 'where yon clinging vine 

Doth 'round the ruined wall entwine: 

J3right Edna, full of life and mirth. 

Whose blithe songs, ringuig rich and clear, 

Echoed through wildwood far and near; 

A hunter's daughter fond and true, 

As innocent as morning dew ; 



40 RUIN FA) COT IN THE VALE. 

The mother's soul had winged froni earth. 
The morn that gave sweet Edna birth. — 
The love that spanned the gentle wife 
Clung close about the maiden's life, 
Who grew up in the flowery wdlds. 
Blooming beneath the father's smiles. 
Strong w^as the love that flrral}' bound 
Tliat young heart in its daily round ; 
And, in life of quiet pleasure, 
Days came and went in peaceful measure, 
Bright'ning and fading, as all da3^s will, 
From sunrise crest to sunset hill. 

At last, a day brought to this spot 
New scenes to inmates of the-cot : 
A young man, crowned with easy grace, 
Of happy mould and manly face, — 
Young Carlton, w^ho had come to spend 
A few weeks with his father's friend. 
To chase the wild deer and the bear 
From forest glade and mountain lair, 



RUINED COT IN THE VALE. 41 

And drink in health with purest air ; 
Too young for heart to take ahirm 
And full of impulse quick and warm, 

Carlton, as days went speeding by, 
Felt deep the wound of Cupid's dart; 

Oft from his lips escaped the sigh, 

And rose-dreams twined about his heart. 
And gentle Edna, blushing, knew 
Her inmost soul was throbbing through 
With sweeter pictures than e'en day 
Had woven 'mid the flowers of May ; 

And oft they strolled when dewy eves 
Were deep'ning in the S3lvan dell, 

Thro' whose thick branches night-wind grieves, 
Laden with strokes of night-bird's bell, 
x\nd there had ta'en long draughts of love; 
While, 'mid the stars that shone above. 
Had Fancy, with her matchless dyes. 
Sketched swift, before their trusting eyes, 
Fairer scenes than e'er magi an wand 
Hath called to birth in fairy land. — 



4^ RUIN ED COT IX THE VALIf. 

At length the eve of parting came^ 

And Carlton, urged bv quenchless flame. 

Sought, in the ardent lover's way^ 

For loved Edna to name the day 

To bind their lives in wreath of blisSy 

And urged his suit with many a kiss. ^ 

Though Edna's love was pure and bright. 

Within its first, most holy light, 

No bliss that framed the liappy bride 

Could make her leave and wander wide 

From father's gaze and loving side^ 

Who would not leave his chosen hills 

To share the social blights and ills, 

If all the treasure of the world 

And thrones were in his pathway hurled- 

Edna, his life, his light, his all — 

Should she but go, his blinding tears 

Would weave a black and heavy pall 
To cling o'er tomb of coming years — 
Yes, they could love : but they must wait 
And as j^oung Carlton closed the gate 



RUINED COT IN THE VALE. 43 

Upon his back, that parting morn, 
Fond Edna, with lone he.art forlorn, 
Fled to her room, and bitter tears, 
The first that in her maiden years 
Had fall'n on web of hopes and fears, 
Came swift unto her h< art's relief. 



■'Mid lights and shades the yeaas went on, 

Wreathing the earth with sobs and sm les, 
And still the aged hunter won 

Trophies from out the woodland aisles. 
Fair Edna, grown to woman's state. 

With ripened grace and gentle mein, 
Wept not hot tears upon her fate, 

Nor would she 'low her heart to lean 
From the fond heart whose silver hairs 

Were floating down life's tremblng stairs. 

At last the day that comes to all, 
Wrapped close around with sable pall, 



4-i RUINED COT IN THE VALE, 

Stole in on shadows, cold and gray, 

That o'er the sylvan valley lay ; 

And Edna stood, with tearful moan, 

Draped in deep mourning ban .is, alone, 

The only mourner, where friends made 

A grave within the wildwood shade ; 

And when the twilight shadows dim 

Were trembling 'long the mountain's brim, 

Pair Edna crept, with swollen eyes, 

Out underneath the fading skies, 

To where the cedar's mournful sound 

Sobbed low above the fresh-made mound, 

And, bending low '"beneath the rod," 

She knelt and kissed the leafy sod. 

And poured out her heart, in tears, to God ; 

Nor heard the one that by her knelt, 

Nor knew, till on her brow she felt 

A tender kiss, as soft and sweet 

As zephyr in the flower's retreat ; 

Nor did her heart feel strange alarms — 

For well she knew those clasping arms ; 



RUINED COT IN THE VALE. 4S 

And once again her head was pressed 

Upon fond Carlton's manl}^ breast. 

The 3'ears have streaked his locks with gray, 

Still, warm his love as on that day 

He turned him from this vale's delight 

With love heart wrapped in tearful night. 

And Edna went, a trusting bride, 
Out in the world by Carlton's side. 

Lavina ceased ; I looked again 

Out on the little glassy plain, 

And thought of those whose loves did twine 

Beneath the shadow of yon vine; 

That love so patient, true and strong— 

So blest at last, though waiting long. 
Then, rising from the mossy bed, 

Silent we strolled, 'neath forest ban, 
To where the sunset rays were shed 

Upon the busy world of man. 



The Banshee, 



HAT night the sun had hid his gory locks 

) Behind a murky bank of dismal cloud ; 

The foaming breakers thundered on the rocks, 

The demon of the tempest screamed aloud. 

.• 
The air was black as though a lake of ink 

Had burst its barriers and engulfed the scene — 

A darkness palpable, from which we shrink 

As, shudd'rmg we wake from a troubled dream. 

The lightnings glared o'er ivy-mantled towers, 
• Against the gray walls the dead ivies cheep 
Within tne blast ; on whose wings the rain flood 
pours ; 
And thro' the vaulted halls grim phantoms creep. 



THE BANSHEE. 4r 

Within the oaken chamber, 'neath the light 
■ Shed dreamil}^ by silver chandelier, 
Budora sat and listened to the night 

Tiiat filled the castle with vague sounds of fear. 

Her face was young and most supremely fair, 
The long lashes shrined eyes of heav'n's own blue, 

From her head flowed wealth of curling hair, 
Fine as soft silk and of ^ich golden hue. 

Long strings of pearls amid the tresses placed. 
Flashed opal tints above her pure white brow ; 

A golden girdle spanned her slender waist, 

And sapphires gleam 'd from fingers white as snow. 

A velvet, dyed like richest crimson wine, 
Fell soft, in heavy folds, about her form. 

Embroidered with a golden flowing vine 

Supporting clustered rubies bright and warm. 

She &at 'mong cushions of velvet green. 
Her fair brow bent, as, with a skillful hand 



48 THE BANSHEE. 

She wrought a crest upon a silken screen ; — 
Within the hour-glass murmured shifting sand. 

Weird shadows played about the paneled room, 
Hung here and there with trophies of the chase; 

While here and there, from out the arches gloom, 
Stared carved sprite and quaint ancestral face. 

But of the night : — there is a lull without, 
As for a moment curbed, the storm imp's ire. 

Then on again, with blinding flash and shout, 
While up the fire-place leap red tongues of fire. 

And now, thro' storm, there comes a mournful wail 
As souls may give when lost to hope of heav'n — 

Eudora falls, with cheek as ghastly pale 

As if the lightning's bolt her heart had riv'n. 

Senseless she lies, as the wild voice again 
Comes wailing in amid the shadows gray. 

From out the blast across the sodden plain. 

And through the dark halls moaning dies away. 



THE BANSHEE. 49 

It is the Banshee's voice, whose cry of bell 
Foretells of death unto th.e fair j^onng bride, 

As sure as the tocsin's alarum knell 

Doth rive the lover from his darling's side. 



The morning dawns at last; with measured tread 
Across the draw is borne a dripping bier. 

Whereon is laid the white form of the dead, 
Found at the crag's foot, by the raging mere. 

The sunbeams floating on the silent air 
Rest upon the cold, pallid, upturned face. 

And on Eudora's wealth of golden hair. 

And arms that clasp the dead in close embrace. 

No cry goes up, as from the damp, black bier 
They raise Eudora's arm and drooping head, 

Nor from the eyes escape a single tear: — 
The form is there, but its sweet soul has fled. 



50 CORRA LINN. 

That day is gone ; and now gray ruins grim, 
With rime of ages and vague fears eiTtwine ; 

The great owls hoot within the twilight dim, 
While night-winds rustle in the ivy's vine. 

Corra Linn. 



I 



WAS a lovely day in May-time — 

The sun was shining bright and warm. 
From out the cloudless heavens, 

Upon village, wood and farm — 
When I sought the woodland cloisters. 

Away from treai of busy feet. 
And lay amid the wild flowers 
By the cascade's cool retreat. 

The bright drops, like gems, were glancin| 

Where a beam of sunlight fell 
'Tween the over-arching branches 



COBRA LINN. 61 

That close enshrined the mossy dell — 
And the long thin wings of vapor 

Hovered o'er the pool below, 
Where the mountain stream was dancing 

With foam sandals white as snow. 

As I lay and gazed upon it, 

The brooklet's voice rose sweet and clear, 
And a magic in its singing 

Brought the world of dreamland near. 
Faint and fainter grew the chiming. 

As Fancy spread each rosy wing, 
And from out her charmed grotto 

Did her choicest paintings b-'ing. 

Twining o'er the Future's portal 

Tapestry of tinting bright, 
Strewing it with od'rous blossoms 

From the world of Love and Light, 
Till my heart was full of rapture, 

Drowning all its carking care, 



S2 COBRA LINN. 

And the gates of Eden opened 
O'er my head in pulsing air. 

Soft the hours, their rose wreaths trailing, 

On zephyr pinions sped away, 
And I noted not their going. 

Till the twilight shades were gray. 
Then, with halting step descending, 

I walked again 'mid jar and din; 
But my heart with dreams was clinging 

Around the Falls of Corra Linn. 





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